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Cited by 179Sperm and Testicular FunctionPhytochemicals and Medicinal PlantsReproductive Health and Technologies

Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males

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Ahmad, Mohammad Kaleem, Mahdi, Abbas Ali, Shukla, Kamla Kant, Islam, Najmul, Rajender, Singh, Madhukar, Dama, Shankhwar, Satya Narain, Ahmad, Sohail·2010·Fertility and Sterility
DOI 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.046
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Abstract

Objective To investigate the impact of Withania somnifera roots on semen profile, oxidative biomarkers, and reproductive hormone levels of infertile men. Design Prospective study. Setting Departments of Biochemistry and Urology, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, India. Patient(s) Seventy-five normal healthy fertile men (control subjects) and 75 men undergoing infertility screening. Intervention(s) High-performance liquid chromatography assay procedure for quantization of vitamin A and E in seminal plasma. Biochemical parameters in seminal plasma were estimated by standard spectrophotometric procedures. Estimation of T, LH, FSH, and PRL in blood serum by RIA methods. Main outcome measures(s) Before and after the treatment, seminal plasma biochemical parameters, antioxidant vitamins, and serum T, LH, FSH, and PRL levels were measured. Result(s) Withania somnifera inhibited lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl content and improved sperm count and motility. Treatment of infertile men recovered the seminal plasma levels of antioxidant enzymes and vitamins A, C, and E and corrected fructose. Moreover, treatment also significantly increased serum T and LH and reduced the levels of FSH and PRL. Conclusion(s) The treatment with W. somnifera effectively reduced oxidative stress, as assessed by decreased levels of various oxidants and improved level of diverse antioxidants. Moreover, the levels of T, LH, FSH and PRL, good indicators of semen quality, were also reversed in infertile subjects after treatment with the herbal preparation.

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  • The clinical significance of the net benefit of herbal supplements is yet to be determined, with ambiguity regarding long-term safety.

    “Therefore, the clinical significance of this net benefit is yet to be determined, with ambiguity regarding long-term safety.[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]”

    From A systematic appraisal of emerging alternative therapies in men’s health and wellness (2025) · cites this paper as [64]

    The Semen Profile section reports improved sperm measures after treatment, and the Treatment section specifies a three-month course. Our copy does not say that the clinical significance of those improvements remains undetermined or assess long-term safety (searched for clinical outcomes, long-term safety, and adverse effects). (LLM, conf=0.72)

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Authors
Ahmad, M. K., Mahdi, A. A., Shukla, K. K., Islam, N., Rajender, S., Madhukar, D., Shankhwar, S. N., & Ahmad, S.
Affiliations
  • King George's Medical University (IN)
  • Aligarh Muslim University (IN)
  • Central Drug Research Institute (IN)
Corresponding author
Mahdi, Abbas Ali
ORCID
Venue
Fertility and Sterility
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-08
Volume
94
Issue
3
Pages
989-996
ISSN
0015-0282 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.046
OpenAlex
W2102578251
Cited by
179
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Fertility and Sterility (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Central Drug Research Institute
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Reproductive Health and Technologies
Keywords
Withania somnifera, male infertility, semen quality, oxidative stress, seminal plasma, reproductive hormones, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls, antioxidant vitamins, sperm count, sperm motility, herbal medicine
MeSH terms
Adult, Humans, Infertility, Male, Luteinizing Hormone, Lipid Peroxides, Male, Phytotherapy, Plant Extracts, Powders, Prolactin, Semen, Treatment Outcome, Oxidative Stress, Plant Roots, Withania, Gonadal Hormones, Semen Analysis

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